Same time, different location

Miami was braced for Hurricane Isaac, while in Stockton, some folks were waiting for rising Republican candidate Ricky Gill to speak at that party's convention there.

Lori Gilbert

Miami was braced for Hurricane Isaac, while in Stockton, some folks were waiting for rising Republican candidate Ricky Gill to speak at that party's convention there.

It was Aug. 28, 2012, a typical mid-90s day in Stockton.

In was hot in Menomonie, Wis., that day, and surprisingly cool for Charleston, S.C.

Painters Joe Paquet and West Fraser remember that distinctly, because they were out in those locations creating pieces for "One Random Day," a show Robin Knowlton conceived for Lodi's Knowlton Gallery. Randomly drawing a date from a hat, Knowlton sent 22 artists out to capture the day. The results are on display at Lodi's Knowlton Gallery until Jan. 7.

"I didn't really (have a vision)," Knowlton said. "I was just intrigued by the idea of things happening at the same time, in different locations. I always was fascinated by that. I thought it would be fun to put together artists from across the country. There were no parameters, just, 'You have to have it done on that same day.' "

Among those who jumped at the opportunity was Fraser, who grew up in Charleston, S.C., and paints the landscape - marshes, rivers, harbor and sandy beaches - of the city he boasts recently was named favorite city in the world by Conde Nast readers.

"I thought it was a great idea," Fraser said. "There's a synergy to it. It makes us a part of the whole, even though we're not painting together. That's what we often do, go to certain locations and paint together. This way we're all painting the same day. It's a brilliant idea."

Fraser studied the tide charts - not unusual for a resident of the historical coastal town that often is targeted by hurricanes - and realized a blue moon, or a second full moon of the month, was arriving in a few days.

"I decided what I needed to do was to go to one of my favorite spots, and be there to watch the moon rise," said Fraser, who staked out a spot in Charleston County. "It was a beautiful day, a glorious day. I went out and did a study before the moon rose, and then waited and watched the moon rise, and made notes on what it was like. Then, I finished the painting from the studies."

The result is a landscape that captures a marsh, the sea, the state's famed palmetto trees and the moon, in shades of blue that lend to the oil painting's title, "A Month of Blue Moons."

"I definitely painted in this region," Fraser said. "I'm known for painting this area."

Likewise, Paquet painted a region he knows well.

The St. Paul, Minn.-based artist traveled to western Wisconsin to capture an area he's been painting for years.

"That farm I've painted for 15 years and that's not something common for me," Paquet said. "Every once in a while I connect with a particular place. ... I've watched the house kind of fall down. It's been kind of like a family member, watching somebody age. It's a place that feels good when you are there."

Paquet is such a regular visitor that when he sets up nearby and starts painting, the locals honk and wave as they go by.

From his vantage point Paquet could see laundry drying on a line strung in the yard. It became part of the oil painting, "Late August, Menomonie, WI."

"I had to get some spots of color in there," Paquet said. "That's the problem with painting in Minnesota. I always joke that God made California on a Monday when he was fresh. He got to Minnesota at the end of the week. You look at the bluffs and they're all the same shape and size. Trees are the same color. It was just, get over with it already so I can get to the East Coast. That's what it feels like. Every bit of color I can get my fingers on is a blessing."

"You've got to work really hard here," Paquet said. "It's an austere landscape. It requires great sensitivity to be receptive to the beauty of it. You have to look very deeply. It's not an obvious beauty."

Places with obvious beauty, as Paquet would say, such as California's Sonoma County, Alexander Valley and Laguna Beach, also are included in the show, as are paintings from Maine and Pennsylvania.

The gallery, at 115 S. School St. in Lodi, is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Lodi First Friday Art Hop

The residents of Arbor Senior Apartments and Joe Cawelti will show their work at the apartments (115 Louie Ave.) during today's art hop from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Elsewhere on the hop, find Patti Wallace, Suzanne Rawlins, Gaylyn Saunders and Karen Dillard at Hutchins Street Square (125 S. Hutchins St.), a combination of small works and holiday gift items at the Lodi Community Art Center (Lakewood Mall), Helen Betz paintings at the Lodi Public Library (201 W. Locust St.), Barb Gillespie and Suzie Wilbourn at McKinleys Frame Shop (11 W. Pine St.), Emilee Baker's fantasy mixed media at The Dancing Fox Winery & Bakery & Eatery (203 S. School St.), Sharon Berry ceramic jewelry and pottery at New and Again Consignment Furniture Gallery (210 S. School St.) and Lynn Hooks and Raquel McFarland at Fields Family Wines (20 N. School St.)

Lodi Community Art Center, Lakewood Mall, Lodi

A collection of unique ceramic and glass tree ornaments and home decorations for the holidays are among the items in the gallery, sharing space with entries for the Small Works Show. Those pieces include work by Janet Hayden (wall art) and Cathi Newlin (3D), Best of Show winners.

Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

The art center is at 1373 Lakewood Mall, corner of Ham Lane and W. Locust Street.

"Street Photography," the theme of the annual Photography Exhibition and Awards Competition, a show featuring 33 images from 17 photographers, continues through Dec. 14. This year's show includes an entry by local artist Michael Randolph. Awards, as judged by Deborah Klochko, executive director of San Diego's Museum of Photographic Arts, went to Leo Mendonca (best of show), Richard Ott (second place) and Eddie Wexler (third place).

Ten-year Stockton Art League member Joyce Costa is the featured artist of the month for the first time. Costa paints flowers, serene settings and places she'd like to visit or live. A reception for her is 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Award-winning artist Gil Dellinger is this month's demonstration artist of the month, and will show how to use acrylic underpaint for oil from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

Painting, sculpture and scrimshaw depicting ships, seascapes, marine life and coastal scenes make up the 15th National Exhibition of the American Society of Marine Artists, which opens Dec. 20 and runs through March 3.

Stockton Seaport Winds, a woodwind quintet, will play holiday music at the opening reception for the show, which is at 7 p.m. Dec. 20.

Hours: 1:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 1:30 to 9 p.m. the first and third Thursdays. Admission is free to all on the first Saturday of the month.

Information: (209) 940-6300 or hagginmuseum.org.

Art Expressions of San Joaquin, 44 N. San Joaquin St., Stockton

Photographs from Arturo Vera's "Flower Collection" highlight the display by member artists at the San Joaquin County Administration Building this month.

The restaurant's one-day monthly art show is Wednesday. Artists may set up their displays from 3 to 4:45 p.m., and the show is 5 to 8 p.m. Display space for artists is free, but 20 percent of pieces sold is donated to a nonprofit art organization.

Information: (209) 474-1118.

Mexican Heritage Center, 111 S. Sutter St., Stockton

Altars celebrating the Christmas season are on display.

Hours: noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Information: (209) 598-6525 or facebook.com/mhcgallery.

Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 Central Ave., Tracy

The holiday spirit has taken over the galleries with Art Co-Opted, featuring paintings, drawings, sculpture, functional sculpture and jewelry. Among more than 40 artists is 17-year-old Blake Vallotton of Tracy, a "social political artist" who works with spray paint and is influenced by street art and graffiti.

Aimed at shoppers looking for unique handmade gifts, the gallery presents Merry Madness Holiday Shopping from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with a 10 percent discount on every item.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and one hour prior to ticketed performances in the theater.

Information: (209) 831-6278 or atthegrand.org.

Gallery 10, 15 Eureka St., Sutter Creek

Plein air artist Howard Rees, of Jackson, is this month's featured artist. His works demonstrate the lessons he teaches others, whereby he uses fewer, more expressive brush strokes.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, Thursday through Monday.

Information: (209) 267-0203 or gallery10suttercreek.com.

Petroglyphe Gallery, 8317 Main St., Mokelumne Hill

The gallery celebrates the holiday season with a Christmas reception for its show featuring works by more than 27 artists from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 16. The event features wine, appetizers, music by jazz guitarist Herb Boxhorn and an opportunity to meet some of the gallery's artists.

More than 50 artists have created works for the Calaveras Arts Council's 20th Affordable Gifts of Art Show and Sale Holiday Boutique, which runs through Jan. 5. A reception for the show is noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, which coincides with the San Andreas Christmas Show in the Town Hall.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Information: (209) 754-1774 or calaverasarts.org.

Galerie Copper, 145 Stone St., Copperopolis

Marlene Dotur, born and raised in Oakdale, is featured this month and shares pieces that reflect her passion for the cowboy lifestyle in which she grew up. A reception for all the gallery artists is 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday. An optional dinner at Saddle Creek Resort will follow. Tickets for the dinner are $20 and reservations and money are due today, at the gallery.

The Amador County Arts Council presents a holiday gift show in the gallery through Dec. 30, with no piece priced more than $125. Among the local artists are students from Amador and Argonaut high schools.